Eddie Howe now says there are a few players 'close' to a return from injury - Finally

There may be light at the end of the tunnel for Newcastle United as Eddie Howe confirms he has a few players close to a return.

It has been a long time since Newcastle have had an injury crisis like this one. In fact, this one stands out above the rest as most of the long-term injuries we've suffered a freak occurrences.

I vaguely remember a spell when it seemed that every week a new player would pop a hamstring in training, that might have been as far back as the Graeme Souness days, but his current run of injuries takes the cake.

Could the injury crisis finally be starting to ease?

Thankfully, Eddie Howe, who hasn't exactly had the best record of predicting return dates, has now said that we may not be waiting too much longer for our squad to start filling out again.

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Speaking to the media ahead of the clash with Everton tomorrow, Eddie Howe gave an update on the injury state of play (via The Chronicle).

"We hope we'll have players back [soon]. No one is back training with the group at the moment but there are a few that are close."

There were reports that Sven Botman was due to return to training this week, but as yet that seems to have been wide of the mark, however, the man himself has hinted that his return is not too far away, posting on an Instagram reel a three-word caption on a picture of him celebrating his one goal for the club so far: "last few steps".

Eddie Howe will be happy to have more options

Jamaal Lascelles has been outstanding for Newcastle in Sven Botman's absence so there's no real panic in that sense, but just to get more options back is huge for Eddie Howe.

A lot is being asked of the current crop of fit players, but the more they play, especially at the intensity levels they do, the more chance there is that they will also pick up injuries.

Things are starting to look up, and of course, we are edging ever closer to the January transfer window.